Advances in Cannabis Research

Latest Cannabis Research

Cannabis is widely used for medical, industrial and recreational purposesparticularlyfor its illicit psychoactive properties. Chemically, the plant is very complex with over 400 chemical entities and more than 60 ofthemcannabinoids.

Several classes of compounds have been reported including cannabinoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids. THC and CBD, are two cannabinoids reported to have the most clinical effectsfrommedical cannabis. Biologically, the plant has been reported to treat pain, glaucoma, nausea, asthma, depression, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and inflammatory diseases.

Use of modern techniques such as LC-MS/MS andGC-MS,and genome sequencing tools make Cannabis a novel candidate for future medicine.

Our Findings

To utilize cannabis as a predictable medicine, it is vital to classify hundreds of cultivars with respect to their therapeutic effects. Leading in Cannabis science and using cutting-edge technology, we have classified Cannabis chemically and genetically. Using HPLC and GC-MS coupled with mass spectroscopy, we identified and quantified major cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN) from different Cannabis varieties. Genomic DNA were sequenced in order to understand the functionality of genes responsible for cannabinoid production.

How Our Research is Advancing the Field of Medicine

Conventional research has much focused on the use of antique methods for classification of medicinal plants. However,ourresearch is based on the concept of integration of advanced tools such as UPLC, LC-MS/MS, and GC-MS together with modern next-generation sequencing to understandmoleculardeterminants of chemical constituents. We are also leading in single-cell bioanalysis of naturally-occurring biomarkers using different cancer cells.

Hundreds of medicinal plants have not been investigated usinglatestresearch techniques. Therefore, we are transforming conventional research methods using sophisticated modern tools to enter into the era of next-generation medicine.